Freshwater governance for the 21st century

The water-related challenges have reached a climax with an unoptimistic future expected to feature more competition between users. This book on freshwater governance broadly illustrates key aspects of water governance.

It maps the spectrum of decision-making from techno-centric and eco-centric approaches, to hybrid concepts and people-centric approaches. Freshwater Governance for the 21st Century contains information that many practitioners in the water field will be looking for. The water-related challenges have reached a climax with an unoptimistic future expected to feature more competition between users. These stresses will be exacerbated by climate change which is likely to increase water demand while shrinking water supplies. Intense competition for water resources will be experienced not only by private users but will also affect the public sector; however, national plans repeatedly fail to show the ability to provide a coherent outlook for development in which water needs are adequately projected and resources smartly shared. This book on freshwater governance broadly illustrates key aspects of water governance. It maps the spectrum of decision-making from techno-centric and eco-centric approaches, to hybrid concepts and people-centric approaches. Topics covered include the challenges for water-governance models, the polycentric model, the integration challenge, water in the decision-making hierarchy, and the rise of water-sensitive design, while also taking into account interdependencies between stakeholders, as well as the issue of scale.